Volume One, Chapter 140: Wanting to Hold Him and Soothe Him.

On the third day after Liang Jinmo left for his business trip, Xu Zhi received a notice for an interview.

She was delighted and told Liang Jinmo over the phone, "It’s a comprehensive publishing house. They’ve introduced many classic works, and they collaborate with quite a few big names in the translation industry..."

That evening, after showering at his hotel, Liang Jinmo spent the entire time in his suite’s bedroom taking calls.

On the other end of the line, Xu Zhi chattered away, mentioning trivial things: she didn’t have the right clothes for the interview, Zhao Nianqiao said she would take her shopping tomorrow, she was wondering if she should get her hair done, and oh, she needed to buy lipstick too...

Liang Jinmo listened while drying his hair with a towel.

It was a fresh experience for him. He was a man who rarely took an interest in the affairs of others, let alone such mundane daily trifles. Yet, listening to Xu Zhi talk about these things felt different; he inexplicably found her rather adorable.

She was treating a single interview as if it were going into battle.

He remembered something and asked, "Has your father been bothering your mother again?"

At the mention of this, Xu Zhi sounded noticeably excited. "He calls my mother every day. Aside from checking in on her, he asks when she’s coming back. Oh, and he called me today, too."

Liang Jinmo paused. "What did he say to you?"

Xu Zhi replied, "I don't know. I was out and didn't hear the phone ring, so I didn't pick up. He must be furious."

She sounded somewhat smug.

He lowered his eyes, a faint smile at the corners of his lips. "If you can't handle him, let me know. Even though I’m not in Beicheng, I can find people to help."

Xu Zhi said, "Don't worry. From what my mother says, my father is trying to curry favor with us now. It’s impossible for him to be like before, always swearing or resorting to violence."

*This is all because of Liang Jinmo,* Xu Zhi thought. It was a real slap in the face; Xu Heping used to look down on Liang Jinmo entirely, but now, because of him, he had lowered his stance toward her and Zhao Nianqiao.

Liang Jinmo said, "Regarding your family’s company, if you want me to help, I will."

Holding her phone while lying on the bed, Xu Zhi felt a warmth spread through her heart. After a few seconds, she asked, "But... my father treated you so poorly before... are you really willing to help?"

If the company were solely Xu Heping’s concern, she would never have considered asking Liang Jinmo for help. But since it involved Zhao Nianqiao, it was a different matter; she could not bear to watch her mother shoulder a massive debt.

Liang Jinmo said, "I’m only doing this for you."

There was no one else; he was helping Zhao Nianqiao for her sake.

He added, "Besides, there’s no real conflict between your father and me."

The few times Xu Heping had encountered him were at the Liang family estate. Every time Xu Heping saw him, he would simply turn his head away in disgust and walk off.

He wouldn't be tactless enough to try and talk to Xu Heping, either.

In light of his past experiences, this level of malice really didn't amount to much.

Xu Zhi was silent for a moment before she suddenly said, "I feel like I haven't done anything for you."

She had always felt she owed him, and now, it seemed she owed him even more. She felt a little dejected.

Liang Jinmo was silent for a few seconds before he suddenly said, "Don't leave."

Xu Zhi was stunned. "What?"

"Don't leave," he said. "To me, that is already doing a lot."

She had always left him with her back turned, left him a flashlight, left, given him chocolate, and left... He had seen her back so many times he couldn't even count them.

Xu Zhi’s heart softened instantly. "I already told you I wouldn't leave..."

She didn't know what else she could say to make him believe that this time, she really wouldn't walk away.

He had no sense of security at all. Even though she had proposed to him, he had been abandoned even by his own biological mother; the guarantee of marriage seemed shaky to him, and it was still only a plan.

Liang Jinmo was silent for a moment, then gave a soft "Mm."

She felt he still didn't believe her. It was strange—in the eyes of others, he was somewhat aloof and distant, but now, that single syllable transmitted an indescribable sense of brokenness.

It made her want to reach out, hold him, and comfort him.

But she couldn't do that now. After hanging up, she acted on impulse and sent him every single "hug" emoji from her WeChat sticker collection.

Then, remembering something, she pulled the paper bag from her bedside table, the one containing the silk slip dress Yang Xue had given her.

The tag was still on it. She stroked the smooth, silky fabric.

She would never have bought such a nightgown herself, but since Yang Xue had given it to her, she decided to give it a mission: to help her sleep with Liang Jinmo.

She wanted him to understand her resolve. Although the times were more open regarding relationships between men and women, her first time was still very important and precious to her—it represented her commitment.

The interview was scheduled for the following week, so Xu Zhi was in no rush. The next day, she went to the mall with Zhao Nianqiao to buy the necessary clothes and cosmetics.

Zhao Nianqiao complained about Xu Heping, "Your father is driving me crazy these past few days. He calls every day, hypocritically asking where I’m living, saying he wants to bring me things. We aren't teenagers anymore; why is he acting like a lovesick boy chasing a girl? It’s not like I can’t see through his intentions."

Xu Zhi found it amusing, but she remembered the main issue and said, "By the way, Brother Jinmo said he could help with the family company. Mom, what if... we have him meet with my father later? Talk it over and see if there’s any way to save it. At the very least, we can’t let you be saddled with that much debt."

Zhao Nianqiao thought for a moment. "Don't rush it. We need to wear your father down first; don't let him get help too easily. I have my own matters to attend to. If I’m going to work in Biancheng, I need to resolve everything with your father before I leave."

Zhao Nianqiao seemed to have her own plans, so Xu Zhi said no more.

Leaving the Xu family behind, both mother and daughter were working hard toward new lives. She thought that was for the best.

On the way back to the hotel, she passed a 24-hour adult supply vending machine. Like a thief, Xu Zhi looked around, darted inside, and made a purchase.

Although she didn't know when Liang Jinmo would return, she wanted to be prepared. Her face burned as she bought it, and she hurriedly stuffed the small box into the paper bag containing her cosmetics before rushing away.

After heading upstairs, she took out her room card in the hallway, but before she could reach her door, a man stopped her.

"Hello, Miss Xu. I am President Liang’s assistant," the man explained. "President Liang would like to speak with you about something."

Xu Zhi found it inexplicable. Why would Liang Zhengguo use such a method to find her?

She was confused. "What does Uncle Liang want with me?"

The assistant said, "Please come downstairs with me. They are waiting for you in a private room at the hotel’s sixth-floor tea restaurant."

Xu Zhi was completely bewildered, but since they were still at the hotel, she followed the assistant downstairs.

When the assistant pushed open the door to the private room, she glanced inside and immediately froze.

Liang Muzhi had been sitting on the sofa, but upon seeing her, he immediately stood up.

His heart was pounding, and he was so nervous that his palms were sweating. This feeling of trepidation, like returning home, was something he had never experienced before.